The best 10-day luxury Tanzania safari spends 1 night in Arusha, 2 in Tarangire, 2 on the Ngorongoro Crater rim and 5 in the Serengeti split between two camps chosen for the month. It balances big-name sights with enough time in each place to slow down.
Below is the day-by-day plan, how to adapt it through the year, and what it costs. For more ready-made trips, see our luxury Tanzania safari itineraries.
Last checked: September 2026. Guide prices are per person sharing and exclude international flights.
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The itinerary at a glance
| Nights | Where | Why | Suggested lodges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arusha | Rest after international flights | Arusha Coffee Lodge, Gran Meliá Arusha |
| 2 | Tarangire | Elephants, baobabs, quiet game drives | Chem Chem Lodge, Tarangire Treetops |
| 2 | Ngorongoro Crater rim | A full day in the crater | &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, The Highlands |
| 3 | Serengeti camp 1 | Follow the migration for your month | See the table below |
| 2 | Serengeti camp 2 | Resident predators or a private reserve | Four Seasons, Singita Grumeti, Namiri Plains |
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha. Land at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to a coffee-estate lodge. Rest and have dinner in the garden.
Days 2 to 3: Tarangire. Drive with your private guide to Tarangire, about two to three hours. Tarangire has some of Tanzania’s largest elephant herds, especially from July to October, and huge baobab trees. Stay in a private area such as the Burunge Wildlife Management Area for walking safaris and night drives. Deciding between parks? Read Tarangire vs Lake Manyara.
Days 4 to 5: Ngorongoro Crater. Drive up to the crater rim through the highlands. Spend one full day on the crater floor, leaving at first light to beat the crowds, looking for black rhinos, lions and flamingos. Read more in our Ngorongoro Crater guide.
Days 6 to 8: Serengeti camp 1. Fly or drive into the Serengeti. Your first camp follows the herds:
| Months | Camp 1 area |
|---|---|
| December to March | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu, for calving |
| April to June | Central and western Serengeti |
| July to October | Northern Serengeti, for the Mara River crossings |
| November | Central and eastern Serengeti |
Days 9 to 10: Serengeti camp 2. A second camp with strong resident wildlife, or a private reserve such as Grumeti with walking and night drives.
Day 11: Depart. Fly back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro for your international flight, or on to Zanzibar.
What it costs
| Style | Guide price per person sharing |
|---|---|
| Luxury camps and lodges, shared vehicles in the Serengeti | From about US$12,000 |
| Luxury with private vehicles throughout | From about US$15,000 |
| Ultra-luxury with Crater Lodge and Singita | From about US$25,000 |
See our luxury Tanzania safari cost guide for a full breakdown, and our park fees guide for the fees in these prices.
Adding a beach stay
A popular option is to finish with 4 nights on Zanzibar or &Beyond Mnemba Island, making a 14-night trip. See our guides to the best Zanzibar resorts after a safari and how many nights of safari and beach to plan.
Ways to change it
- Less driving: fly from Arusha straight to the Serengeti and finish at the crater.
- More time with the herds: drop Tarangire and add two more Serengeti nights.
- With children: use a private vehicle and a villa or family suite. See our family safari guide.
- For a honeymoon: swap one camp for a romantic lodge. See the most romantic safari lodges in East Africa.
FAQs
Is 10 days enough for a Tanzania safari?
Yes. Ten days covers the northern circuit well: Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and two areas of the Serengeti.
Should I drive or fly between parks?
Drive between Arusha, Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, which are fairly close, then fly to and within the Serengeti. This mix gives the best balance of scenery and time.
When is the best month for this itinerary?
It works all year. For the Mara River crossings, go from July to October. For calving, go in February. For lower prices, go in the shoulder months.
Make it yours
This is a starting point. Tell us your dates and priorities and we will tailor it. See our luxury Tanzania safari itineraries or enquire below.
